Literary terms that start with S or T
The term for the author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice?
What is tone?
This type of conflict occurs between a character and an outside force.
What is external conflict?
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
What is imagery?
"She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams."
simile
“Alicia, who inherited her mama's rolling pin and sleepiness, is young and smart and studies for the first time at the university. Two trains and a bus, because she doesn't want to spend her whole life in a factory or behind a rolling pin.” most likely develops this theme.
What is the role of women, societal expectations, (or similar will be accepted)
This literary device gives human traits to nonhuman objects.
What is Personification?
This term describes a situation where the audience knows more than the characters.
What is dramatic irony?
This is a moment when a character has a sudden realization about an important truth.
Epiphany
Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.
personification
“She got three last names and, let me see, two first names. One in English and one in Spanish . . .” (p35) most likely develops this theme.
identity, cultural adaptation, (or similar will be accdepted)
This term describes the recurring element or idea in a literary work.
What is a Motif?
An example of this is when a character is battling with internal feelings about making right or wrong decisions.
What is internal conflict?
Hints or clues about future events are called, this technique can add an ominous atmosphere or change the pacing of the text.
Foreshadowing
Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole, imploring for admission. "Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door--you will make yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open the door."
dialogue
In "Smart Cookie" the narrator, Esperanza references "Madame Butterfly" - a famous opera. This reference is this technique that relates one story or idea to another.
Allusion (not metaphor)
Often in literature, using this device can be used to represent ideas or qualities. This can give a deeper meaning to text and themes.
What is symbolism?
A character believes her husband is died and she is free but as she walks with joy in her heart, her husband walks through the door and the woman dies.
What is situational irony?
type of writing uses humor to criticize society
satire
this represents an idea that is held usually in an object, for example, "west" is usually meaning something is coming to an end.
symbolism
In this passage, the author uses this technique to control the speed of reading or the cadence of the experience. “We ride fast and faster. Past my house, sad and red and crumbly in places, past Mr. Benny's grocery on the corner, and down the avenue which is dangerous. Laundromat, junk store, drugstore, windows and cars and more cars, and around the block back to Mango.”
The central idea conveyed in a literary work that is generally universal and left for interpretation by the reader.
What is theme?
In House on Mango street, Alicia's father expects her to make the food for the family, clean the house, and take on maternal roles. On the other hand, Alicia also attends university and stays up late and has big dreams of changing what is expected of women.
What is a conflict?
This term refers to the mood or feeling created through descriptions of the setting, it occurs in the introduction (usually) and uses imagery as its basis of development.
Atmosphere
Ow! Ouch! Pow!
Onomatopoeia
While literature has big ideas like "identity" and "culture" they often have a message. This is one of the messages of "The House on Mango Street."
Any statement about about developing identities, growing up and wanting their peace, embedding themselves and adapting to new cultures (and similar) are acceptable.